Search Results for keywords:"Food and Nutrition Service"

The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA announced in a notice the types of foods that will be available through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for Fiscal Year 2021. The notice details both surplus foods, which include items like dairy, grains, meats, and fruits, and purchased foods, supported by various legislative acts and additional funding due to COVID-19 impacts. These foods are distributed to states for helping individuals in need, with allocations based on factors like poverty and unemployment rates. The availability of specific foods can change due to agricultural market conditions.

The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA announced the benefit levels for 2025 in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program. These benefits, unchanged from 2024, are adjusted annually based on the Thrifty Food Plan and include regional modifications for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories. For most areas, the monthly benefit remains at $40, while Alaska and Hawaii have higher amounts due to cost differences. These adjustments comply with the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

The Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a correction to a final rule regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) program. This correction modifies specific sections of the rule to help meet the program's goal of helping participants acquire the skills necessary for employment. It addresses errors in the previously published document and clarifies requirements for E&T participants who have completed high school or an equivalent before joining the program. The amended rule will take effect on January 17, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is requesting feedback on the development of Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects. These projects, authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, will allow Tribes and Tribal organizations to take on roles traditionally held by State agencies in administering school meal programs. The USDA is seeking input from Tribes, Tribal organizations, State agencies, and others on topics like eligibility criteria and the selection process for these pilot projects. Written comments are being accepted until March 24, 2025, to help shape the application process and evaluate potential challenges and support needs.

The Agriculture Department and Food and Nutrition Service issued a correction to a previously published proposed rule concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control Review Handbook. The original document, dated January 3, 2025, erroneously listed the date "March 4, 2024" under the DATES section. This has been corrected to read "March 4, 2025". This change ensures that readers have the correct information regarding important dates in the proposed rule.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are asking for public comments about the necessity and utility of collecting information for certain projects. This collection relates to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) demonstration projects, which test program changes to improve benefits delivery. Comments are requested by January 27, 2025, and can be submitted through the website provided. State agencies that conduct these projects must submit reports to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to evaluate the effectiveness and ensure they do not increase costs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking public comments on its proposed revisions to the information collection for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). This program provides fresh produce to low-income women, infants, and children through farmers' markets. The revisions include updated reporting and record-keeping requirements, an increase in the estimated number of hours needed to fulfill these tasks due to program changes, and adjustments based on the anticipated number of participants. The public has until April 12, 2021, to submit their feedback.

In a notice from the Food and Nutrition Service, under the Department of Agriculture, public comments are invited on a new information collection named Waivers and State Plans (WiSP). This initiative aims to streamline the process for state agencies by transitioning from individual collections to a single application for requesting program waivers and submitting state plans. It supports programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and aims to enhance efficiency and compliance with legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Access to Baby Formula Act. The public is encouraged to comment on the utility and burden of this collection effort by February 28, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review a data collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They seek public comments about the necessity and utility of the data, estimating the burden, and suggestions for improvement. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) aims to use this information to conduct quick response surveys for Special Nutrition Programs (SNP), which will help in timely decision-making and enable effective program management and compliance. The data collection will involve State, local, and tribal governments, as well as both for-profit and non-profit organizations, and is expected to include 108,597 respondents over three years.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decided to withdraw a proposed rule aimed at improving the quality control system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Initially published on September 19, 2023, this rule was designed to enhance SNAP's integrity and accuracy as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. FNS will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to explore new regulations and improve overall program oversight and state compliance. This withdrawal allows the FNS to consider additional strategies for enhancing SNAP's quality control efforts.